The Texas DPS Driving Log form is a crucial document that tracks the behind-the-wheel instruction hours for young drivers. This log ensures that your teenager completes the required 20 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before they can apply for a provisional license. To get started, fill out the form by clicking the button below.
For parents and guardians of young drivers in Texas, the DPS Driving Log form serves as an essential tool in navigating the journey toward obtaining a provisional license. This log is designed to track the 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice that a teenager must complete under the supervision of an adult who meets specific legal requirements. Each practice session is carefully structured, detailing the recommended hours for various driving skills, including basic maneuvers like starting and stopping, as well as more complex tasks such as city and expressway driving. Importantly, only one hour of practice can be counted each day, regardless of how long the student actually drives. The log also requires the adult supervisor's signature, affirming that the practice sessions have been completed accurately. To ensure a smooth transition to the provisional license, this form must be submitted alongside other necessary documents, including a driver education completion certificate and proof of enrollment. As parents guide their teens through this critical learning phase, understanding the components of the Driving Log form can help them ensure their young drivers are well-prepared for the responsibilities of the road.
BEHIND THE WHEEL INSTRUCTION LOG 20 HOURS
Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide may be downloaded or printed from www.tea.state.tx.us/drive
The 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice must be completed in the presence of an adult who meets the requirements of Section 521.222 (d)(2), Transportation Code before the young driver is eligible for a provisional license. Only one (1) hour of behind-the- wheel instruction per day will count towards the 20 hours regardless of the number of hours the student actually drives in a day.
Student’s Name: ________________________________________________________ DL #: ______________________________
Practice Session
Date
Time
Daytime
Nighttime
Adult’s Signature and DL #
mm/dd/yyyy
(am/pm)
Hours
Getting Ready, Starting,
Placing the Vehicle in
Motion, and Stopping
Recommended 1 hour
Moving, Stopping,
Steering, Knowing Where
You Are
Recommended 2 hour
Backing
Turning, Lane Position,
and Visual Skills
Recommended 2 hours
Searching Intended
Path of Travel
Parking
Turnabouts
Multiple Lane Roadways
Recommended 3 hours
City Driving
Expressway/Freeway
Driving
I certify and endorse that the above record is true and correct and my student has completed 20 hours of guided practice which includes at least 10 at nighttime.
____________________________________________________________
_______________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature (if over 18 years of age student’s signature)
When your teenager is eligible for the provisional license take this log, the DE-964 driver education completion certificate and with the other required documents to the Department of Public Safety. Required documents: (1) Valid Learner’s License (Instruction Permit), (2) Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form, (3) DE 964 from school which provided the driver education course, (3) 20 Hours Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log, (4) The vehicle used for the Road Test must be able to pass an inspection where everything works properly, have a valid inspection sticker, valid registration sticker, and current insurance, (5) Money to pay for license
Texas Education Agency/Texas Department of Public Safety Parent Guide 20 Hours
Getting Ready, Starting, Placing the Vehicle in Motion, and Stopping (p. 14) Recommended 1 hour -- These practice sessions introduce your teenager to the instrument panel, vehicle controls, and mirror blind spots. The young driver should get ready to drive, start the vehicle, place the vehicle in motion, stop, and secure the vehicle. Please review the vehicle owner’s manual before and during these practice sessions.
Moving, Stopping, Steering, Knowing Where You Are (p. 15) Recommended 2 hours -- Focus on learning the correct procedures for moving, stopping, using reference points, and steering the vehicle at different speeds. Begin in a large, level parking lot that is free of obstacles. The teenager should practice driving around the perimeter of the lot at 10 and 15 mph. Using commentary driving, have your teenager focus on smooth push-pull-slide hand-to-hand steering and stops. Your teenager should be taught to ease off the accelerator or use the brake to reduce speed before entering a curve and use slight acceleration to overcome inertia and pull the vehicle out of the curve. Ask the teenager to move the vehicle to specified targets in the parking lot at 10 and 15 mph. The target is a fixed object that is located 12-20 seconds ahead of the vehicle, in the center of the path of travel, and is what the driver steers toward. It can be a car a block ahead, a traffic signal, the crest of a hill, etc. Having a target helps the new driver to: visualize the space the vehicle will be occupying; look far ahead of the vehicle and begin a search to identify risks; improve steering accuracy. Focus on smooth acceleration, proper speed, and smooth stops. Explain to your teenager that “curling” the toes back to ease pressure off the brake just before stopping results in smoother stops. Practice normal smooth stops and hard smooth stops which are done at a slightly higher speed.
Backing (p. 16) Recommended 1 hour -- Repeat the tasks listed in sessions Moving, Stopping, Steering, Knowing Where You Are with the vehicle in reverse gear at idle or slow speeds. Backing from one target to another allows your teenager to practice seeing, steering, and speed control skills with the vehicle in reverse gear.
Turning, Lane Position, and Visual Skills (p. 16) Recommended 2 hours -- During the next practice sessions practice 10-15 right and left turns from stopped and moving positions in a parking lot. Left turns should be “squared” and right turns should be “rounded.” Emphasize proper signals, mirror checks, side- position reference points, speed and steering control, and the need to look ahead of the vehicle at a selected target in the center of the path of travel. Warn young drivers not to fixate on any one thing. Prior to progressing to driving in a quiet neighborhood, your teenager should be able to demonstrate the ability to move and stop the car smoothly, maintain a given speed, and steer with reasonable precision. If your teenager is ready, practice right and left turns in a residential area.
Searching Intended Path of Travel (p. 18) Recommended 2 hours -- In a residential area, or, if ready, on roads with light traffic, continue working on basic visual skills, negotiating curves, and right and left turns. Practice judging space in seconds, identifying a target, and searching the target area and target path. Ask your teenager to comment prior to changing speed or position. Young drivers have the tendency to monitor the road immediately in front of the vehicle.
Parking (p. 19) Recommended 1 hour -- Angle Parking, Perpendicular Parking, Parallel Parking, Curb Parking, Parking Uphill, Parking Downhill
Turnabouts (p. 21) Recommended 2 hours -- Focus on recognizing the different types of turnabouts and selecting the appropriate type of turnabout for a given situation. Begin in a large, level parking lot free of obstacles. Practice 2-point, 3-point, and U-turns in a parking lot. Progress to a lightly traveled residential area, and practice visual search skills, turns, and each turnabout at least 10 times. The easiest and safest way to change directions is to drive around the block.
Multiple Lane Roadways (p. 22) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on lane position, lane changing, following distance, and mirror blind spots. If possible, choose a time when the four-lane roadway on which you select to practice has minimal traffic, such as during early morning hours on Saturday or Sunday. There are several lane position choices a driver can make without changing lanes. Practice driving in lane position 1, 2, and 3 for several miles during each session.
City Driving (p. 24) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on driving on crowded urban roadways. During these practice sessions have your teenager examine the importance of scanning ahead, lane position, covering the brake, and the hazards associated with parked cars, traffic congestion, and distractions. Decision- making is the most important skill used in driving. A driver operating in city traffic flow makes 50-60 decisions per mile. Drivers need visibility, space, time, and adequate traction to perform all maneuvers in city traffic whether crossing, turning, passing, or adjusting speed and/or position. During these sessions ask your teenager to focus on controlling space to the front and speed to enhance visibility, space, time, and traction. Driving on congested roadways allows a very small margin for driver error. Effective searching skills and driver alertness are both essential. Every second counts in this driving environment.
Expressway/Freeway Driving (p. 25) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on complex risk driving environments at speeds up to 70 mph. Traffic flow on expressways can be heavy and at times unpredictable. They are called limited access highways because there are only certain locations, called interchanges, where a driver can enter and exit the expressway. Expressways have a low frequency of collisions, but often have high injury severity rates when a collision does occur because of the higher speeds. Review the expressway information in the Texas Driver Handbook. Make sure your teenager understands the different kinds of expressway interchanges, expressway signs, signals, lane markings, speed limits, and the importance of maintaining a 20-30 second visual lead.
Completing the Texas DPS Driving Log form is an essential step for your teenager to obtain a provisional license. This log tracks the required 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, ensuring that the young driver gains the necessary skills and experience under the guidance of a qualified adult. Follow these steps to accurately fill out the form.
Once the log is filled out completely, gather it along with other required documents for the provisional license application. This includes the DE-964 driver education completion certificate and a valid learner's license. Ensure everything is in order before visiting the Department of Public Safety.
The Texas DPS Driving Log Form is a document that tracks the behind-the-wheel instruction hours a young driver completes before obtaining a provisional license. It requires a total of 20 hours of practice, with at least 10 hours of that practice occurring at night. The log must be signed by an adult who meets specific qualifications outlined in Texas law.
To complete the Driving Log Form, you should follow these steps:
The supervising adult must meet the requirements of Section 521.222 (d)(2) of the Texas Transportation Code. This typically means they must hold a valid Texas driver's license and be at least 21 years old. It's important that the supervisor is experienced and able to provide guidance during the practice sessions.
The log recommends practicing various driving skills, including:
Each skill has recommended practice hours, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience for the young driver.
When your teenager is ready to apply for a provisional license, they will need to present several documents, including:
If the required 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice are not completed, the young driver will not be eligible for a provisional license. It is essential to ensure that all hours are logged correctly and that the necessary practice is completed before applying for the license.
Incomplete Information: Failing to fill in all required fields, such as the student’s name or driver's license number, can lead to delays. Ensure every section is complete.
Incorrect Dates: Writing the wrong date for practice sessions can cause confusion. Double-check the date format (mm/dd/yyyy) to avoid errors.
Adult Signature Missing: The log must have an adult's signature. Omitting this can invalidate the log, preventing the young driver from obtaining their license.
Ignoring Hour Limits: Only one hour per day counts toward the total of 20 hours. Many mistakenly believe that multiple hours in one day can be added.
Failure to Document Nighttime Hours: At least 10 hours must be completed at night. Not tracking these hours accurately can hinder eligibility for a provisional license.
Not Following Recommended Practice Times: Each practice session has suggested durations. Ignoring these can lead to insufficient skill development.
Missing Required Documents: When applying for a provisional license, ensure all necessary documents are included. Missing items can result in a failed application.
Neglecting Vehicle Requirements: The vehicle used for the road test must meet safety standards. Ensure it has a valid inspection sticker, registration, and insurance.
When preparing for a young driver's provisional license in Texas, several important documents accompany the Texas DPS Driving Log form. Each of these documents plays a crucial role in ensuring that the young driver meets all necessary requirements before taking the road test. Below is a list of these essential forms, each briefly described to clarify their purpose.
Having these documents ready not only streamlines the licensing process but also ensures that the young driver is well-prepared for the responsibilities of driving. Each form contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the rules and safety measures necessary for operating a vehicle in Texas.
The Texas DPS Driving Log form is quite similar to the Learner’s Permit Application. Both documents are essential for new drivers as they establish the initial steps toward obtaining a driver’s license. The Learner’s Permit Application requires information about the applicant, including their name and date of birth, just like the Driving Log. Additionally, both documents necessitate a parent or guardian's signature, confirming their involvement in the learning process. This shared focus on adult supervision ensures that young drivers receive the guidance they need during their formative driving hours.
Another document that resembles the Texas DPS Driving Log is the Driver Education Completion Certificate. This certificate serves as proof that a student has completed the required driver education course. Similar to the Driving Log, it contains critical information about the student, including their name and the number of hours spent in practice. Both documents must be presented when applying for a provisional license, highlighting their role in demonstrating a young driver’s readiness to take on the responsibilities of driving.
The Parent/Guardian Certification form is also akin to the Driving Log. This document requires a parent or guardian to certify that their child has met specific driving requirements, including the completion of behind-the-wheel training. Much like the Driving Log, the Parent/Guardian Certification emphasizes the importance of adult oversight in the learning process. Both forms ensure that a responsible adult is involved in verifying the young driver’s progress and readiness for the next steps in obtaining their license.
Lastly, the Vehicle Inspection Form shares similarities with the Driving Log. This form is necessary to ensure that the vehicle used for the driving test meets safety standards. While the Driving Log focuses on the hours and skills practiced, the Vehicle Inspection Form emphasizes the condition of the vehicle itself. Both documents work together to ensure that new drivers are not only prepared behind the wheel but also operating a safe and reliable vehicle during their driving tests.
When filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log form, consider the following guidelines:
Conversely, avoid the following mistakes:
Understanding the Texas DPS Driving Log form is essential for parents and young drivers preparing for their provisional license. However, several misconceptions can lead to confusion. Here are four common misconceptions explained:
Many people believe that any driving time logged counts towards the required 20 hours. In reality, only one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day is counted, regardless of how many hours the student drives that day.
Some assume that nighttime driving is optional. However, the log specifically requires that at least 10 of the 20 hours be completed during nighttime driving to ensure that young drivers gain experience in various conditions.
It's a common belief that parents can complete the log after the driving sessions have occurred. In fact, the log must be filled out during or immediately after each practice session to ensure accuracy and accountability.
Many think that the driving log is the sole requirement for obtaining a provisional license. However, several other documents, including the DE-964 driver education completion certificate and a valid learner's license, are also necessary when applying at the Department of Public Safety.
Key Takeaways for Using the Texas DPS Driving Log Form